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January 28, 2003

Barbra Dee Sims
Math Teacher, 38

Barbra Sims of Swan Lake, a seventh grade math teacher at the Liberty Middle School and a lifelong area resident, died Saturday, January 25, 2003, at Sloan Kettering Memorial Hospital in New York City following a three and one-half year courageous battle with cancer. She was 38 years of age.
The daughter of Leota Deighton Hermann and the late Paul W. Hermann, she was born August 3, 1964, in Callicoon.
A graduate of Delaware Valley Central School and Sullivan County Community College, she received her Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education with a secondary in English from SUNY New Paltz.
Mrs. Sims was a life member of the Ladies Auxiliary to the H. Russell Kenyon Post No. 5808, Callicoon, and had served as a past president of the Sullivan County Council VFW Auxiliary and as color bearer for the Ladies Auxiliary of the Department of New York. She was very active with Boy Scout Troop 95 in Liberty, serving as an assistant leader with them and also was a Cub Master for Pack 95. She was also involved in youth soccer and was a coach for the American Youth Soccer Organization. Mrs. Sims was a former Sunday School teacher at the Liberty United Methodist Church.
In a family statement, it was said, "Barbee was a woman of great strength, always putting herself out to be helpful to others. She has made her mark in the world by her love and devotion to her family and all those around her. A stranger to her was a friend she never met. She will be greatly missed and was loved by all who knew her."
She is survived by her husband of 18 1/2 years, Bryan J. Sims, and two sons, Paul Edward and Phillip Eric, all at home; her mother of Callicoon; three sisters and two brothers in-law, Sandra and Arthur Flynn of Callicoon, Major Rhonda Sullivan of Westlake, La., and Debora and Earl Bright of Gainesville, Ga.; seven nieces and nephews, Sara Lyons of Lake Charles, La. Tami Brown of Plano, Tex., Jim Gibson of Austin, Tex., Steven Flynn of Narrowsburg, Thomas Gibson of Westlake, La., Kayla and Christian Bright, both of Gainesville, Ga., and five grand-nieces, Jacquelynn Flynn, Mason and Alyssa Lyon, Sierra Flynn and Jenna Brown; an uncle and aunt, Fred and Eileen Hermann of Callicoon; several grand aunts and uncles; numerous cousins; and her extended family, her mother-in-law, June Repko of Liberty, and a brother-in-law and sisters-in-law and their spouses, Tom Sims of Binghamton, Susan and Fred Moore of Woodbourne, Laurie and Greg Knox of Neversink, Pat and Ken Curry of Harris, John and Tamara Sims of Ft. Wayne, Ind., and Nicole Sims of Athol, Mass. and their families; her father-in-law, Tom Sims of Holden, Mass.; and many friends. She was predeceased by her step-father-in-law, Edward Repko.
Friends may call at the Ramsay's Funeral Home, 275 South Main St., Liberty, on Tuesday from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m.
Services will be held at 2 p.m. at the United Methodist Church, 170 North Main St., Liberty, on Wednesday, with the Rev. Francis Waite officiating.
Burial will be made in the Sullivan County Veterans Cemetery in Liberty.
Memorial contributions may be made to Boy Scout Troop 95, c/o Liberty United Methodist Church, 170 N. Main St., Liberty, N.Y. 12754, or donations may be made to the Barbra Sims Scholarship Fund at any branch of the First National Bank of Jeffersonville.

Anthony Jackson
Child Care Super, 32

Anthony L. "Tony" Jackson, a five-year resident of Jeffersonville, a child care supervisor for Abbott House and a former police officer in Elizabeth, N.J., died Thursday, January 23, 2003, as the result of injuries sustained in a motor vehicle accident. He was 32 years of age.
The son of Darrell Carmine and Joyce Jackson, he was born August 21, 1970, in Elizabeth, N.J.
He is survived by his mother of Elizabeth, N.J.; his father of Metuchen, N.J.; his paternal grandmother, Margaret Carmine; his wife, Kidra Seaman Jackson, at home; seven sons, Anthony Jackson Jr. and Marguise Jackson, both of Elizabeth, N.J., Corey Jackson of Puerto Rico, Tyrone, Thomas, Devine and Tevin Jackson, all of Jeffersonville; three daughters, Monique and Shontice Jackson of Elizabeth, N.J., and Tyana L. Jackson of Jeffersonville; a brother, Todd S. Hawkins of Plainfield, N.J.; four sisters, Tina Crawford and her husband, Kayne, of Elizabeth, N.J., Alicia Carmine of Metuchen, N.J., Daralyn Tarantino of Somerset, N.J., and Valerie DiCarlo of Virginia; and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services were held at the Friendship Baptist Church in Ferndale Monday evening with the Rev. Willie Smith officiating.
Cremation was made at the Cedar Hill Crematory in Middle Hope.
Memorial donations may be made to the Jackson Family Memorial Fund, c/o First National Bank of Jeffersonville, P.O. Box 398, Jeffersonville, N.Y. 12748.

Garetta Peters, 91
Ret. Businesswoman

Garetta Peters of Youngsville, the retired owner of the former Garetta's Fashions in Jeffersonville and a homemaker, died Thursday, January 23, 2003, at the Bethany Village Assisted Care Facility in Honesdale, Pa. She was 91 years of age.
The daughter of the late Jacob and Minnie Likusa Haegler, she was born May 31, 1910, in Paterson, N.J. She was the widow of Russell Peters.
Mrs. Peters was a member of the former Fremont United Methodist Church. She also operated the Jeffersonville Auction Barn and was a dairy farmer for many years.
She is survived by two sons, Burgess Peters of Youngsville and Russell Peters of North Branch; a brother, William Haegler of North Branch; two sisters, Laura Dutcher and Beth Deharing, both of the state of Florida; 13 grandchildren; several great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by a son, Donald Peters, and a granddaughter, Corinne Peters.
Services were held Monday at the Stewart-Murphy Funeral Home in Jeffersonville with Pastor Robert McLeod officiating.
Burial was made in Heavenly Rest Cemetery in North Branch.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Fremont Community Church, Fremont Center, N.Y. 12736; the First Presbyterian Church of Jeffersonville, Jeffersonville, N.Y. 12748; or to the Heavenly Rest Cemetery Association, North Branch, N.Y. 12766.

Paul M. Kessler
Mechanical Technician, 47

Paul M. Kessler, a mechanical technician for American Felt and Filter, died Thursday, January 23, 2003 at Sloan Kettering after a long illness. The son of the late Milton and Ada Kessler, he was born April 8, 1955 in Suffern.
He was an avid hunter and fisherman who enjoyed the outdoors. He endured his illness with great courage and perseverance. He is irreplaceable and will be greatly missed.
In a family statement, it was said "Paul was a loving husband, brother, father and friend. One of his qualities that made him such a special person was his great sense of caring when his family needed his mechanical ability."
Survivors include his wife, Debbie, of 28 years; two sons, Jamie and Anthony; one daughter, Carrie Ann; five grandchildren, Jackie, Taylor, Anthony and the twins, Jade Lynn and Victor; one sister, Shirley Rector and her husband, Robert Rector; and best friend, Robert Winters.
Visitation will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. on Tuesday at the William M. Gagan Funeral Home, 1525 Burlingham Rd., Pine Bush.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m., Wednesday, January 29 at the funeral home. Pastor Robert Hewitt will officiate.
Burial will be in the New Prospect Cemetery in Pine Bush.

Philip Snedeker
Automotive Teacher, 74

Philip Snedeker, a retired automotive technology teacher at Sullivan County BOCES, died Saturday, January 25, 2003, at Robert Packer Hospital in Sayre, Pa. He was 74 years of age.
The son of Frederick and Marie Schille Snedeker, he was born November 18, 1928 in New York City.
Mr. Snedeker was a member of the Fosterdale United Methodist Church, chairman of the Board of Directors of the Fosterdale Cemetery Association, a former member of the Jeffersonville First Aid Squad, the Lake Huntington Fire Department; a former Cub Scout and Boy Scout leader. He was a U.S. Army Veteran of World War II.
He is survived by his wife, Mildred Ludwig Snedeker, at home; his mother, Marie Snedeker. a resident at the Sullivan County Adult Care Center; a daughter, Barbara Schultz and her husband, Joseph, of Hortonville; four sons, Glen Snedeker and his wife, Mary, of Callicoon, Alan Snedeker and his wife, Adrienne, of Cochecton; Bruce Snedeker and his wife, Cindy, of Kenoza Lake, and Roger Snedeker and his wife, Jenny, of Narrowsburg; a brother, Alfred Snedeker and his wife, Helen, of Kenoza Lake; a sister, Marie Levine and her husband, Jack of Chattanooga, Tenn.; a son-in-law, Dale Zajac of Rochester; 10 grandchildren; one great-grandchild; and six nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by a daughter, Diane Zajac.
There are no calling hours.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m., Wednesday at the Fosterdale United Methodist Church in Fosterdale with Pastor Bill Hagerty officiating.
Burial will be in Fosterdale Cemetery, Fosterdale.
Memorial contributions may be made to Fosterdale United Methodist Church, c/o Cindy Halloran, Mueller Rd., Cochecton, N.Y. 12726 or to Fosterdale Cemetery Association, c/o Barbara Schultz, Rock Ave., Callicoon, NY 12723.
Arrangements were made by Stewart-Murphy Funeral Home, Jeffersonville.

Annabelle L. Peavey
Retired Teacher, 93

Annabelle Lewis Peavey of the village of Florida, formerly a resident of Bloomingburg, died Wednesday, January 22, 2003 at the Oneida Health Care Center in Oneida. She was 93 years of age.
The daughter of the late George E. and Flora Utter Lewis, she was born August 19, 1909 in the village of Florida.
She was a retired teacher from the Goshen Central School, Goshen, N.Y.
She was a member and ordained Elder of the Florida Presbyterian Church, Sunday School teacher, and secretary of the Women's Association. Mrs. Peavey held the office of president of the Florida P.T.A., was a County Advisory Committee woman, and young Co-op County Leader of the Dairyman's League, Chairman of Orange County Home Bureau Executive Committee and of Southern District Federation of Home Bureaus, representative to N.Y.S. Council of Rural Women, executive member of the New York State Women' s Joint Legislative Forum at Albany, president of N.Y.S. Agricultural Society, a past Worthy Matron of Warwick Chapter No. 508, Order of the Eastern Star, and a 4-H County Leader.
A 1931 graduate of Syracuse University, Mrs. Peavey received her Master's Degree in Education from New Paltz in 1959 and taught kindergarten for 15 years in the Goshen Schools, retiring in 1971.
Survivors include sons, Lewis W. Peavey and his wife, Treva, of Middleville, George D. Peavey and his wife, Joan, of Verona, James R. Peavey and his wife, Sandra, of Bloomingburg; 11 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her husband, Lloyd W. Peavey and sister, Marion L. Cobb.
Funeral services were held Monday at the Cornelius, Dodd and Connell Funeral Home, 26 Grove St., Middletown, with the Rev. Dr. Robert Reader officiating.
Interment will be in the Wallkill Cemetery, Phillipsburg, N.Y.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Florida Presbyterian Church, P.O. Box 94, Florida, N.Y. 10921.
Arrangements are under the direction of the Cornelius, Dodd and Connell Funeral Home, Middletown.

Richard E. Thuman
Commercial Artist, 87

Richard E. "Dick" Thuman, a commercial advertising artist and a longtime resident of the area, died Friday, January 24, 2003 at the Sullivan County Adult Care Center in Liberty. He was 87 years of age.
The son of the late George and Anna Held Thuman, he was born June 20, 1915, in Brooklyn.
He was a member of Mamakating Seniors, Westbrookville Seniors, Mamakating Lions Club, Democratic Club, Mountain Lake Camps Assn. Basha Kill Assn, and he formerly wrote the Wurtsboro column for the Sullivan County Democrat.
Survivors include loving wife, Anne Styczynski Thuman at home; several cousins, nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m., Tuesday, at the VanInwegen-Kenny, Inc. Funeral Home in Wurtsboro.
Cremation will be held at Cedar Hill Crematory, Newburgh.
Memorial contributions may be made to Family Council of the Sulllivan County Adult Care Center, Sunset Lake Rd., Liberty, N.Y. 12754.

Robert J. Smith
Head Cook, 76

Robert James Smith of Sun City, Fla., a former resident of Liberty, died Tuesday, January 21, 2003 in Florida after a long illness. He was 76.
The son of the late Joseph and May O'Neill Smith, he was born April 27, 1926, in Keansburg, N.J.
A U.S. Navy veteran of World War II, he served in the Pacific, during which time he was decorated for valor in combat. He stayed in the Naval Reserves until his retirement as a head cook from the Woodbourne Correctional Facility in 1981.
Mr. Smith was a member of St. Peter's Columbus Father Cronin Council 4768 in Liberty; Liberty Elks Post 109; Clarence Hoyt Post No. 9217, Veterans of Foreign Wars in Liberty and a VFW post in the state of Florida, and was a commander of an American Legion Post. He was also a past Boy Scout Master of Troop 97 in Liberty.
He is survived by his wife, Myrtle Smith; four daughters, Connie M. Van Valkenburg and Kim Burgio, both of Liberty, Kay Smith of Winter Park, Fla., and Shirley Kester of Middletown; a son, Robert M. Smith of Tampa, Fla.; a brother, Joseph Smith of New Smyrna Beach, Fla. and four grandchildren, Erik Van Valkenburg, Jaime and Michael Burgio and Valen Kester. He was predeceased by one sister, Shirley Smith and a brother, Jack Smith.
Funeral arrangements are private.

Edith E. Mears
Homemaker, 96

Edith E. Mears of Livingston Manor, a lifetime area resident and a homemaker, died January 25, 2003 at home. She was 96 years of age.
The daughter of the late John and Ella Dickerson Davis, she was born February 13, 1906, in Grooville. She was the widow of Edwin Rodney Mears.
Mrs. Mears is survived by two sons and their wives, Kenneth R. and Betty Mears and John and Fay Mears all of Livingston Manor; two daughters and their husbands, Ruth and Gerald Yager of DeLand, Fla. and Katherine and Wayne Levitt of Bradley; 19 grandchildren; many great-grandchildren, and several great-great grandchildren; nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by two sons, Robert and Edwin Mears and a daughter, Joan Holladay.
Visitation will be Wednesday from 7 - 9 p.m. at the Herbert C. Bryant Funeral Home, 29 Pearl St. Livingston Manor.
Funeral services will take place on Thursday at 11 a.m. at the funeral home with the Rev. Carl Caskey officiating.
Burial will be in Orchard Street Cemetery, Livingston Manor in the spring.
Memorial contributions may be made to: Livingston Manor Volunteer Ambulance Corps, P.O. Box 1, Livingston Manor, NY 12758.

Grace E. Magnanini
Restaurant Owner, 60

Grace E. Magnanini of Cheshire, Conn., died Thursday, January 9, 2003, at Masonic Health Care Center. She was 60 years of age.
The daughter of the late James and Anna Amermann Bouldin, she was born in Callicoon, N.Y. on March 5, 1942.
For over the last 27 years, Mrs. Magnanini has been in the restaurant business in Southington. She owned and operated Grace's Restaurant for the past eight years, and prior to that the Iron Kettle and Frank's Restaurant. She sponsored women's softball teams and for 15 years held a Christmas party for the youth in Hartford.
She is survived by her husband of 40 years, Michael Magnanini, at home; a son, Michael P. Magnanini and his wife, Jennifer of Southington, Conn.; a daughter, Michele and her husband, Frank Rosa of Cheshire, Conn.; two brothers, James Bouldin of Sylvania, Ohio, and Robert Bouldin of Belmont; a sister, Alice Finkle of Cutchogue; a nephew, whom she raised, Timothy Fulton of Guilford, Conn.; an aunt, Doris Babish of Colorado Springs, Colo.; six grandchildren, Anthony Rosa, Briana, Samantha, Sara, Michael and Nicole Magnanini; and many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by sisters, Minnie Joanne Fulton and Shirley Pollock.
Funeral services were held Monday at the DellaVecchia Funeral Home in Southington, Conn.
Burial will be private.
Memorial contributions may be made to MidState Cancer Care Partnership, 435 Lewis Ave., Meriden, Conn. 06451 or Masonic Hospice, 33 North Plains Industrial Road, Wallingford, Conn. 06492.

Michael E. Smith
Retired Supervisor, 54

Michael E. Smith of Massillon, Ohio, a retired supervisor for the NYC Sanitation Department, died Friday, January 24, 2003 at home. He was 54 years of age.
The son of Arthur J. and Elvira Baker Smith, he was born August 21, 1948 in Staten Island.
A veteran of the Vietnam War, he was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars in Ohio.
Survivors include his father of Shohola, Pa.; two sisters, Jean Ryan of Gouldsboro, Pa., and Karen Pearson of Myrtle Beach, S.C.; a brother, Thomas Smith of Gouldsboro, Pa.; a step-brother, Robert Nelson of Las Vegas, Nev.; two step-sisters, Rayna Lamont of Denver, Colo., and Linda Schweiger of Staten Island, and several aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews.
Friends may call on Tuesday from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. at the Gray-Rasmussen Funeral Home in Barryville.
Funeral services will be held on Wednesday at 10 a.m. at the funeral home with the Rev. David Cramer officiating.
Burial will be made in the Montoza Cemetery in Barryville.
Memorial contributions may be made to the charity of one's choice.

Arnold Packer Hughs
Director of Music, 75

Arnold Packer Hughs of Dunnellon, Fla., passed away on Saturday, January 25, 2003 at North Florida Regional Medical Center in Gainesville. He was 75 years of age.
A native of Binghamton, NY, he came here in 1982 from Wurtsboro, N.Y. and was a retired Director of Music for the Monticello High School, with 35 years of service. Mr. Hughs attended SUNY at Fredonia and graduated with a double major in trumpet and piano. He then continued his education earning master's degrees in music from Columbia University and SUNY Albany. Arnold was a professional trumpeter, organist, and pianist and a band member with professional musicians that played in many hotels in the Catskills.
He was church organist in the Methodist and Episcopal churches of Monticello before retiring to Florida and then became organist for the Rainbow Lakes Methodist, Lutheran, and Presbyterian churches as well as the Beverly Hills Community Church.
A World War II veteran of the U.S. Navy, he was a member of Rainbow Lakes United Methodist Church, the New York State School Music Association and the National Conference of Music Education.
He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Eleanor H. Hughs, at home; two daughters, Renee Somers of Monticello and Gwynne Blum of Wall, N.J.; six grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by two sons, Richard Hughs who died in 2000 and Robert Hughs who died in 2001.
No other information was furnished.

Aatos Ketro, 77
Ret. Computer Oper.

Aatos Olavi Samuel Ketro of New York City and Bethel, a retired computer operator for Royal Insurance Company in New York City, died Friday, January 24, 2003, in New York City. He was 77 years of age.
The son of the late August and Kaarina Saarien Ketro, he was born January 26, 1925, in Helsinki, Finland.
Mr. Ketro was a veteran of the Army of Finland.
He is survived by his wife, Polly Buttrick Ketro, at home; a daughter, Martha Fisher; a son, Paul Ketro; and a grandson, Samuel Fisher.
Services will be held at 1 p.m. on Wednesday at the First Presbyterian Church of Jeffersonville with Pastor Robert McLeod officiating.
Burial will be made in the Jeffersonville Presbyterian Cemetery.

Margaret F. Linen
Ret. Secretary, 87

Margaret F. Linen of Valley Cottage, a retired secretary in the Finance Department of the County of Rockland, died Sunday, January 26, 2003. She was 87 years of age.
The daughter of the late John and Helen Fallon, she was born November 2, 1915, in the Bronx. She was the widow of George Linen who died in 1968.
Mrs. Linen attended the Assisian Business Institute in New York City. She was a longtime Rockland County resident.
She is survived by two sons, and daughters-in-law, Christopher G. and Susan Linen of Valley Cottage and John P. and Karin Linen of Rock Hill; a sister, Helen Fallon Krienik of Bronxville; two brothers and sisters-in-law, John W. and Joan Fallon of Breezy Point and Gerard C. and Claire Fallon of Ridgewood, N.J.; three grandchildren, Jenny Linen and George Linen, both of Valley Cottage, and Allison Linen of Rock Hill; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Friends may call at the Hannemann Funeral Home, 88 South Broadway, Nyack on Tuesday from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at St. Paul's R.C . Church in Congers on Wednesday at 11 a.m.
Burial will be made in Gethsemane Cemetery in Rockland Lake.
Memorial contributions may be made to St. Paul's Food Cupboard, c/o St. Paul's Church, 82 Lake Road West, Congers, N.Y. 10920.

Clarence Parry
Ret. Educator, 79

Clarence Parry of Tupper Lake, a retired educator in the New York State Public School System, died Saturday, January 25, 2003, at the Regional Medical Center Bayonet Point in Hudson, Fla. He was 79 years of age.
He was born in Granville.
A U.S. Navy veteran of World War II, he enjoyed attending the reunions. He earned his BA degree at SUNY Oswego and was a graduate of NYU in New York City where he earned his Master's in Education.
Mr. Parry served for four years on the Board of Education in Tupper Lake and was a registrar at Paul Smith's College in Paul Smith. An Eagle Scout, he served on the executive committee for the Boy Scouts of America. He was a member of the Lions Club and St. David Welsh Society. At one time he was associated with the Liberty School District.
Mr. Parry attended the First Baptist Church of Holiday, Fla., and was a member and past Sunday School superintendent of the Tupper Lake (N.Y.) Baptist Chapel.
He is survived by his wife, Norma J. Parry, at home; two sons, Clark Parry of Franklinville and Clarence "CJ" Parry Jr. of Littleton, Colo.; two daughters, Pamela Terwilliger of Poughkeepsie and Jane Whitmore of Lake Placid; and six grandchildren.
No information was furnished in regard to services and burial.